Emotions; Part 1 – Layla Grace…
When two very real, but different, life events happen on the same day how do you keep your emotions in check?
Friday night was a very emotional night.
There were tears of happiness, tears of sadness and whole lot of in between.
My emotions were at both ends of the spectrum, and all in a 2 hour span of time.
This is Part 1*.
My evening started with the news that nobody should ever have to hear. Layla, the 2 year old daughter of my high school friend Shanna, was given a medical prognosis that they had been fighting to avoid.
Layla was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in May. For 8 months she has been undergoing treatments to kill the cancer. For 8 months her fragile little body has been poked, prodded and poisoned in hopes that the cancer would die. It all seemed to be moving in the right direction, that is, until Friday. Layla, and her mother, went in for follow up scans to check the progress of the chemo/radiation. What they discovered was their worst nightmare, the worst case scenario. The cancer was winning. Not only were her bones being affected, but her one remaining “good” kidney was being attacked as well.
Shanna was told, by one of the best Neuroblastoma specialists in the country, that there was not much more that could be done. Layla’s kidney is only functioning at 59%, therefore surgery was out of the question. They were told Layla will likely only live for 2 months. 2 MONTHS!
Upon hearing the news my heart broke into a million pieces for the Marsh family. For Shanna and her husband Ryan who have stayed strong through out this battle and who have put their heart and soul into curing their youngest daughter of this devastating disease. For Jenna (9) and Claire (3), Layla’s older sisters, they love her so much. The past 8 months has taken its toll on them too.
How can a little girl who was so healthy and “normal” one month be on the verge of dying 9 months later? It’s incomprehensible. How do you continue to believe, how do you continue to have faith when something so life changing, so devastating becomes your reality?
On Friday night I cried for Layla, for Shanna, for the entire Marsh family.
The hope I had in my heart had come crashing down;
shattering to pieces after being hit with the harsh reality that is cancer.
Layla needs a miracle.
Luckily, I believe in miracles.
I will continue to pray for Layla and her miracle.
I will continue to ask HIM to watch over one of the sweetest 2 year olds that the world has ever known.
Layla, you are loved by so many. We’re all praying for you and your miracle.
Keep fighting baby girl, because we BELIEVE!
*Part 2 will be posted later today.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 12:04 am and is filed under Friends, Real Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Jen January 26th, 2010 at 8:01 am
I was the same mess on Friday. It hasn’t faded yet. I’ll continue to lift the Marh’s up in prayer.
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